THE FLATS – Jose Alvarado is becoming an NBA playoff folk hero … Thaddeus Young’s value to the Raptors will outlive his tenure … Moses Wright lands on All-G League first team … End of season evaluation of Derrick Favors … more in this week’s #ProJackets Report.
PLAYOFF PICTURE – Jose Alvarado and the No. 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans trail 3-2 to the top-seeded Phoenix Suns with game 6 set for Friday night in New Orleans … The Pelicans split the first two games in Phoenix and two games in New Orleans … Josh Okogie and the No. 7-seed Minnesota Timberwolves likewise trail 3-2 to the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies, with game 6 on tap Saturday night … Thaddeus Young and the No. 5-seed Toronto Raptors fell behind 0-2 to the No. 4-seed Philadelphia 76ers but have battled back to trail 3-2 as game 6 looms Friday night.
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ALVARADO BECOMING NBA PLAYOFF FOLK HERO
Nearly one year ago, Jose Alvarado did not get selected in the NBA Draft. Now, in the Pelicans’ first-round series against the Suns, the Brooklyn native is showing that he’s worth every penny of his new four-year, $6.5 million contract.
The 24-year-old has been aiding the shorthanded Pelicans, who are currently tied at two with the top-seeded Suns, and cementing himself as a New Orleans folk hero every step of the way.
During Sunday’s 118-103 win over Phoenix, Alvarado recorded five points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals in 18 minutes. However, it wasn’t the stats that made the Georgia Tech product stand out, but rather two instrumental plays that helped the Pelicans clinch the win.
Who is Jose Alvarado? Meet the Pelicans rookie point guard viral for backcourt steals – The Sporting News
Incredible @iamjamiefoxx @AlvaradoJose15 pic.twitter.com/fyTRfPm92O
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 25, 2022
Presenting: Alvarado
By: @IsaacKLee and myself pic.twitter.com/3tk9qBZ4sE
— Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) April 21, 2022
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ALVARADO’S PAINFUL PLAYOFF MOMENT
Did Suns point guard Chris Paul deliver a low blow to Pelicans rookie Jose Alvarado in Tuesday’s 112-97 Game 5 win over the Pelicans?
Paul appeared to kick Alvarado in the groin when he pulled up for a jumper near the free-throw line with 4:36 left before halftime.
Alvarado was hounding Paul on defense during the play when the Suns led 46-35 in the second quarter.
In videos on social media, Paul appears to jerk his leg up in the air, making contact with Alvarado, who immediately bends over while grabbing his midsection.
There was no call on the play, but social media critics are questioning if it was an intentional move by Paul.
Pretty clear nutkick by CP3 on Alvarado here. Wonder if the league office will have something to say about it tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/yYjc2RecQS
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) April 27, 2022
Jose Alvarado forces ANOTHER 8-second Violation on CP3 😱 pic.twitter.com/SUWuVUBs35
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 27, 2022
“JOSE, JOSE, JOSE” 🗣
Pels fans showing love to Jose Alvarado after his clutch defensive performance in Game 4 🙌
(via @PelicansNBA)pic.twitter.com/QOnBOBTueb
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 25, 2022
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YOUNG’S VALUE TO RAPTORS WILL LIVE ON
First things first: [Thaddeus] Young contributed more than Barnes, and more than maybe anyone outside of Pascal Siakam, in extending the Raptors’ series to Game 5 with a win on Saturday. Young was a game-high plus-14 in nearly 30 minutes, more playing time than he had in the first three games of the series combined. He contributed in several ways, from knocking in a 3 to grabbing a quartet of offensive rebounds — only two fewer than the Sixers had as a team — to providing credible defence on Joel Embiid when both Khem Birch and Precious Achiuwa were on the bench.
His intelligence within the offence was most obvious. He had five assists, tying him with Siakam for the team lead, and a lot of that came against the zone defence. The Raptors scored just 0.924 points per possession against zones during the regular season, but it’s up to nearly 1.24 points per possession this series. Young was essential in that on Saturday, the player who was most frequently able to get into the defence’s heart and make the proper reads. Whether it was against zone, man defence or in transition, Young has an advanced feel for the game.
THE FIND 👀 : @yungsmoove21
THE FINISH 😤 : @chrisboucher pic.twitter.com/QhErYmzRPt— x – Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 23, 2022
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YOUNG SAYS RAPTORS ARE FEEDING OFF DEFENSIVE ENERGY
Following a massive Game 5 win over the Sixers, the Raptors veteran forward Thaddeus Young credited his team’s game-planning, pace, ball distribution, and defensive execution, among other things, for pulling Toronto back into the series:
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YOUNG PROVIDES STEADYING HAND FOR YOUNG RAPTORS
Thaddeus Young, who has 55 post-season games with four different teams under his belt, was asked before the post-season tipped off about momentum shifts in series.
There was a palpable shift in the fourth quarter on Saturday. The Sixers unravelled and Joel Embiid lost his cool with the Raptors in his face all night.
“You can definitely feel when teams are starting to break down and starting to crack. And that’s when guys step up and start telling them like, ‘OK, this is our time, this is when we have to take advantage of it, we’ve got to put our foot down on their neck,”‘ Young said. “And when you feel that, that’s when you know you got `em, and you know you have to take advantage of it.”
Those cracks can last more than a game, Young said.
“I’ve been a part of those types of series, and I understand when you’re cracking, that’s the worst feeling in the world. But when you’re on top, and you feel like you have the other team on the ropes, that’s the best feeling in the world,” he said.
Thaddeus Young put Embiid on skates 😅
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/2q8Y1fbgvB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 23, 2022
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MOSES WRIGHT NAMED TO ALL-NBA G LEAGUE FIRST TEAM
Texas Legends forward Justin Jackson, guard Carlik Jones, and two-way forward/center Moses Wright have all earned All-NBA G League honors as announced today by the league. Wright was named to the All-NBA G League First Team while Jackson and Jones each earned Third Team. Jones was also named to the All-Rookie Team, the first to earn such honor in franchise history.
Wright (6-8, 226, Georgia Tech) played 30 games with the Agua Caliente Clippers prior to signing a two-way with the Dallas Mavericks. In 12 games with Texas, Wright posted eight double-doubles and averaged 22.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks leading the team in both scoring and rebounds.
The Legends finished with an overall record of 28-22 and made their way to the Western Conference Semi-Finals, earning the franchise’s first-ever playoff victory.
Your 2021-22 All-NBA G League First Team
🏆 Justin Anderson, @TheMadAnts
🏆 Justin Tillman, @CPSkyhawks
🏆 Moses Wright, @TexasLegends
🏆 Trevelin Queen, @RGVVipers
🏆 Mason Jones, @SouthBayLakers pic.twitter.com/CBgPOc3RBq— NBA G League (@nbagleague) April 18, 2022
Love us some Moses Wright highlights, congrats on getting first team🥳🎊🎉 https://t.co/04k4uvhkzJ
— G League Spotlight (@SpotliteGLeague) April 18, 2022
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END-OF-YEAR-REPORT-CARD – DERRICK FAVORS
Following the 2021 NBA Draft, it looked as though the trade waters had officially simmered. Sam Presti had a different say on that. In the morning hours post-Draft, Presti had one extra trick up his sleeve, obtaining Derrick Favors and a future first-round pick for little-to-no cost. Initially, the 30-year-old Favors was viewed as an immediate buyout or salary-filler candidate. Instead, he yielded some production.
As Oklahoma City’s second-eldest man on the roster, the former No. 3 pick shared his wisdom, playing a pivotal role as an interior presence and leader for a young Thunder frontcourt.
Favors finished the regular season with 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes. Though derailed by injury, the big man logged 39 games, 18 of which as a starter.
#Thunder report card: Derrick Favors #thunderup https://t.co/c0hmta5aPt
— SI THUNDER (@OKCThunderSI) April 26, 2022
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#ProJackets on Social Media
Daddy @yungsmoove21 #WeTheNorth #raptors pic.twitter.com/hFqtQWu1zK
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) April 23, 2022
We are officially done with school! 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/bXqAxiULf7
— Shekinah Young (@Mrs___Young21) April 23, 2022
Throwback to when Dennis Scott did this…..
41 Points
6 Rebounds
3 Assist
16/31 FG – 51%
9/19 3P – 47%Sniper 🎯@Dennis3DScott pic.twitter.com/x2REZkdAkX
— NBA Muse (@NBAMuse24) April 27, 2022
Watch Ya Head! #SoFoolish 🤣🤫✅ pic.twitter.com/AX5Ud9HUKp
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 25, 2022
Back to work! After a little 3SSB! pic.twitter.com/4XXVIuPrFN
— Dennis 3D Scott (@Dennis3DScott) April 24, 2022
#2 draft pick 1991 @NBA90s pic.twitter.com/Fj4qCTghr2
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) April 27, 2022
#PROJACKETS IN THE NBA/G LEAGUE IN 2023-24
| PLAYER | DATA | NUMBERS | TEAM |
|---|---|---|---|
 | JOSE ALVARADO Team: New Orleans Pelicans Number: 15 NBA Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y. Status: Active | 6-0, 179 lbs 2023-24 Stats 7.1 ppg 2.3 rpg 2.1 apg 41.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 7th place, -8.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 5-5 |
 | JAMES BANKS III Team: Maine Celtics Number: 5 G League Experience: 3rd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-20 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-10, 250 lbs 2023-24 Stats 5.3 ppg 4.7 rpg 1.5 bpg 54.2% FG | Record: 21-13 Standing: 2nd place, -1.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 8-2 |
 | MICHAEL DEVOE Team: Memphis Hustle Number: 10 G League Experience: 2nd year Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Status: Active | 6-4, 183 lbs 2023-24 Stats 13.9 ppg 3.9 rpg 3.1 apg 47.4% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 12th, -9.0 GB Streak: W1 Last 10: 3-7 |
 | DERRICK FAVORS Team: Windy City Bulls (G League) Number: 14 NBA Experience: 12 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2009-10 Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Status: Active | 6-9, 265 lbs 2023-24 Stats 6.2 ppg 4.7 rpg 0.7 bpg 66.7% FG | Record: 15-19 Standing: 13th place, -7.0 GB Streak: L1 Last 10: 4-6 |
 | JOSH OKOGIE Team: Phoenix Suns Number: 2 NBA Experience: 5 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-18 Hometown: Snellville, Ga. Status: Active | 6-4, 213 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.6 ppg 2.6 rpg 1.1 apg 41.7% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
 | THADDEUS YOUNG Team: free agent Number: 30 NBA Experience: 16 seasons Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-07 Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. Status: Active | 6-8, 235 lbs 2023-24 Stats 4.2 ppg 3.0 rpg 1.7 apg 60.2% FG | Record: 49-33 Standing: 6th place, -8.0 GB Streak: W3 Last 10: 7-3 |
Georgia Tech #ProJackets Eurobasket Report
Courtesy of Eurobasket LLC
Charles Mitchell (6’8”-F/C-1993, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Argentina) could not help Regatas (3-4) in their last game. Despite his good performance Regatas lost 98-109 at home to the much lower-ranked (#11) Riachuelo LR. Mitchell recorded 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in a mere 17 minutes. Mitchell has relatively good stats this year 12.0ppg and 6.7rpg in three games he played so far.
Experienced Thaddeus Young (6’8”-F-1988, graduated ‘2007, plays in the NBA) led Toronto Raptors to a victory against the Philadelphia 76ers (51-31) 110-102 in the NBA last Saturday. Young recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The Toronto Raptors have 47-34 record this season. It was his team’s third consecutive victory in a row. This season Young averages 5.8ppg, 4.1rpg, 1.7apg and 1.1spg.
Josh Heath (6’1”-PG-1994, graduated ‘2017, currently in Belgium) was the major contributor in a Stella Artois Leuven Bears’ victory against the league leader Leiden (5-4) crushing them 86-57 in the BNXT League on Saturday night. He recorded 15 points and added 4 assists in 31 minutes. It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Stella Artois Leuven Bears (7-2) is placed third in the BNXT League. Heath’s team will play only one more game in the BNXT League Regular Season. And that game will be critical. Heath has relatively good stats this year 14.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 6.4apg and 1.6spg in 27 games.
Adam Smith (6’1”-PG-1992, graduated ‘2016, plays pro in Israel) was not able to help Hapoel UNET Holon in their game against Hapoel Jerusalem (18-7) in the Israeli Winner League. Smith scored 8 points and had 4 steals. The fourth-placed Hapoel UNET Holon (15-10) was defeated 76-69 on the road by the leading Hapoel Jerusalem in the Places 1-6 group. There are only two games left until the end of the Second Stage. So now every game is very crucial. Smith has relatively good stats this season 12.3ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.4apg.
Jose Alvarado (6’0”-PG-1998, graduated ‘2021, plays in the NBA) was not able to secure a victory for the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) in their game against the Phoenix Suns (64-18) in the NBA, despite his good performance on Tuesday night. Alvarado scored 12 points in 20 minutes. But the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) lost 97-112 in Phoenix to the Suns. This year Alvarado averages 6.3ppg, 1.8rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg in 61 games.
Avi Schafer (6’8”-C-1998, graduated ‘2019, currently in Japan) couldn’t help SeaHorses Mikawa in their game against Shinshu BW in the Japanese B1 League. Despite his good performance in Saturday night’s game He scored 11 points, grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 3 assists. This season Schafer averages 7.3ppg, 5.5rpg and 1.2apg. He is a naturalized Japanese.
Gani Lawal (6’9”-F/C-1988, graduated ‘2010, plays pro in France) couldn’t help Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket in their game against Limoges CSP Elite in the French Betclic ELITE ProA, despite his very good performance last Sunday. He was the top scorer with 15 points in a mere 17 minutes. But his team was edged 76-75. Lawal has relatively good stats this year 13.4ppg and 5.9rpg in 30 games. He is a naturalized Nigerian.
Ben Lammers (6’10”-C-1995, graduated ‘2018, plays in Germany) managed to help ALBA Berlin to win against the tenth-ranked Brose Bamberg crushing them 89-57 in the German BBL last Friday. He scored only 2 points. This season Lammers averages 6.6ppg, 4.1rpg and 1.2bpg.
Anthony McHenry (6’8”-SF-1983, graduated ‘2005, currently in Japan) faced previously mentioned Avi Schafer in the Japanese B1 League last game. McHenry contributed to an easy victory against the fourth-ranked SeaHorses Mikawa 86-68. He had a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 10 rebounds. McHenry also added 4 assists and 3 steals in 23 minutes. McHenry has relatively good stats this year 10.7ppg, 6.2rpg, 3.4apg and 1.5spg in 45 games.
Alade Aminu (6’10”-F/C-1987, graduated ‘2009, plays pro in Puerto Rico) couldn’t help Cangrejeros de Santurce in their game against Brujos in the Puerto Rican BSN. Aminu scored 5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. His team was defeated 93-85. This season Aminu averages 3.5ppg and 5.0rpg. .
Other former Georgia Institute of Technology players, who play in pro basketball:
- Josh Okogie (6’4”-G-1998) plays for Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA
- Iman Shumpert (6’5”-G-1990) played for Brooklyn Nets in the NBA few monts ago
- Derrick Favors (6’10”-F-1991) plays for Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA
- Trae Golden (6’3”-PG-1991) plays for Fujian Sturgeons in Chinese CBA
- Zachery Peacock (6’8”-F/C-1987) plays for FOS Provence Basket in French Betclic ELITE ProA
- Glen Rice Jr. (6’6”-F-1991) plays for M.Haifa in Israeli National League
- Brandon Alston (6’5”-G-1995) plays for Decin in Czech Republic NBL
- Marcus Georges-Hunt (6’5”-F-1994) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- James Banks III (6’10”-F/C-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Moses Wright (6’9”-F-1998) plays for Texas Legends in the NBA G League
- Kammeon Holsey (6’8”-F-1990) plays for College Park SkyHawks in the NBA G League
- Daniel Miller (6’11”-C-1991) plays for Levanga Hokkaido Sapporo in Japanese B1 League
- James White (6’9”-F-1993) played for Mauricio Baez in Dominican Rep. TBS last year
- Evan Jester (6’7”-F-1999) plays for New Bayazet in Armenian Caucasus BL
- Abdoulaye Gueye (6’9”-F-1994) plays for I.Ramat Gan in Israeli National League
- Robert Sampson (6’8”-F-1992) plays for Yamaguchi in Japanese B3 League
- Shembari Phillips (6’3”-G-1997) plays for EPG Baskets Koblenz in German ProB
- Will Bynum (6’0”-PG-1983) played for Bivouac in the Big3 last year
- Jarrett Jack (6’3”-G-1983) played for Trilogy in the Big3 last year
Notice: The list above includes only some of alumni playing currently in pro basketball. Check complete list of Georgia Institute of Technology basketball alumni.
